Blinded By The Light

Springsteen talked about this song in detail on an episode of VH1 Storytellers.A lot of the references are personal, to include people he knew or had met on the Boardwalks, or had grown up around, or were just direct personal references to himself:

"Indians in the summer" - Bruce's little league baseball team as a kid.

"In the dumps with the mumps" - being sick with the mumps.

"Boulder on my shoulder" - a "chip" on his shoulder.

"Some all hot, half-shot, heading for a hot spot, snapping fingers clapping his hands" - Being a "know it all kid growing up, who doesn't really know anything."

"Silicone Sister" - Bruce mentions that this is arguably the first mention of breast implants in popular music - a dancer at one of the local strip joints in Asbury Park.

He wrote this song in his bedroom, primarily using a rhyming dictionary. Or as Bruce put it, "the rhyming dictionary was on fire."
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Suggestion credit: John - Columbus, OH

This was Springsteen's first single. It was released only in the US, where it flopped. It was, however, a #1 hit for Manfred Mann's Earth Band in February 1977, becoming the only #1 Hot 100 hit Springsteen ever wrote. The Manfred Mann version was much more elaborately produced, and Springsteen hated it at first. It ended up earning him a very nice payout.

Manfred Mann's version replaces the line "cut loose like a deuce" with "revved up like a deuce." In their version, "Deuce" was commonly misheard as "Douche." Springsteen's original line makes a lot more sense - a deuce is a 1932 Ford hotrod. On his Storytellers special, Springsteen said (in a jesting manner): "I have a feeling that is why the song skyrocketed to #1."

Talking about the barrage of images he used in his early songs, Springsteen told ZigZag: "I see these situations happening when I sing them and I know the characters well. I use them in different songs and see them in shadows – they're probably based on people I know or else they're flashes, that just appear there. There's a lot of activity, a whole mess of people... it's like if you're walking down the street, my songs are what you see, only distorted. A lot of songs were written without any music at all, it's just that I do like to sing the words."

After eight years playing in bars where audiences usually didn't listen to or couldn't hear the words, Springsteen used his first album to unload a ton of lyrics. All these lyrics helped earn Springsteen the tag "The New Dylan." Singer-songwriters like James Taylor and Kris Kristofferson also shared the comparison, and Bruce went out of his way to shed the tag by making his next album a true rock record.

This was the first song on Springsteen's first album. Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. featured a postcard on the cover that fans would look for any time they were near the town.

Along with "Spirit In The Night," this was one of two songs on the album featuring Clarence Clemons on saxophone. The E Street Band became a much bigger part of Springsteen's songs on his next album.

Springsteen wrote the lyrics first and filled in the music later. The only time he wrote this way was on his first album.

The working title was "Madman's Bummers," taken from words in the first line.

This was one of the songs that prompted Columbia Records to market the album by claiming "This man puts more thoughts, more ideas and images into one song than most people put into an album."

Manfred Mann's cover is the only Bruce Springsteen song to top the Hot 100. Near misses for Bruce have been "Dancing In The Dark" (#2 in 1984) and The Pointer Sisters version of "Fire" (#2 in 1979).

Springsteen wrote this after Columbia Records rejected his first attempt at an album, telling him to make some songs that could be played on the radio. He came up with this song and "Spirit In The Night."

In 2019, a movie called Blinded By The Light was released, with the music of Bruce Springsteen a key plot point. The film is set in 1980s England, centered on a teenager of Pakistani descent who is energized and enlightened by a Springsteen cassette tape given to him by a friend.

Comments: 101

Bob from OhioIn ref to Jon in Wynnewood - a disco version of Layla?!? Is that a challenge? :-) I have something bouncing around my head that's kind of a cross of Layla with "Fire" (Ohio Players). Hey - it'd have to be better than Clapton's "lounge lizard" acoustic version..!

Jon from Wynnewood PaGotta compliment Larry from Texas for being a real deuce: it's pretty hard to say so many deuce-like things in only 5 sentences.

1. If you did a disco version of "Layla," you'd probably think it was "hilarious" if Clapton hated it. Didja ever think that maybe it was the fact that your version mutilated the original song that made him hate it? Who says an arist has to like every cover of one of his songs, particularly one that threw "Chopsticks" -- I mean, how tacky is that? -- into it?

2. The Manfred Mann cover of "Blinded" came out almost a year to the day after "Born to Run," by which time Springsteen was bigger than MM. Jealous? Why would The Boss be jealous of someone whose career was in decline.

Also, Springsteen is famously UNself-obsessed, and has been remarkably generous with his songs. Ever heard of Patti Smith? "Because the Night," her breakout hit? Cowritten with Springsteen, and "The song was first performed live at a Patti Smith concert at the CBGB's Theater in New York City on December 30, 1977, with Springsteen joining on vocals and guitar."

He also gave a song called "Light of Day" to the producers of the film by the same name, where a kick-ass version of it was performed by Joan Jett and Michal J. Fox. Google "Joan Jett Springsten Light of Day" to see them -- Jett & Springsteen -- performing it together. He looks pretty jealous, no?

3. Now THAT'S a good guy!

4. Springsteen is still a superstar. Mann is ... where? Springsteen is too good a guy to laugh about that, but what makes you say the laugh's on him?

5. Sounds to me like the laugh's on YOU, dude. You backed the wrong horse.

Larry from TexasI think it's hilarious that Springsteen hated Manfred's version. Bruce was just jealous and proved that he's an idiot who is obsessed with himself. A good guy would have congratulated Manfred. But that's ok because the laugh is on him. I don't listen to the jerk.

Virginia Ramirez from Canoga Park, CaYup, have to agree with scott and anthony totally singing about the music industry and all of its craziness.

Walter D from Augusta, Georgia.I always loved the Mansford mans version of this song and thought it was funny that my wife hated this song for so long because she thought they were saying "WRAPPED UP LIKE A DOUCHE ! " not revved up like a deuce. As for Bruce's early years playing the bars I know why he didn't take off, drunks need songs with easy repetitive lyrics they can follows his form of story telling left most in the dust. I think Bruce earned the title The Boss. his music is a deep part of my youth, It is funny how long it took the world to recognize his talent but it made his concerts more affordable for me. LOL

John from United Kingdom"And little Early-Pearly came by in his curly-wurly" I'm sure curly-wurly is rhyming slang for 'Herbie' from Disneys The Love Bug and was a Volkswagon Beetle which was popular at the time.

Tracy from Bedroomto end all confusion: http://www.springsteenlyrics.com/lyrics/b/blindedbythelight_2005-04-04.phptranscript of his entire interpretation.

John from Indianapolis, InNever really listened to the lyrics too closely since 1976. Just finally remembered to look it up. Hmm. Doesn't make too much sense to me. Never really paid too much attention to lyrics anyway. Had no idea it was a Bruce Springsteen song but, for some reason, I find it almost painful to listen to any of his music, always have.

Dave Stonier from Liverpool, United KingdomBruce Springstein was given his lyrics by the living God Lord Ra.Springstein could not or would not connect so it was passed on to Manfred Mann.The song is about future events in the world.Eyes of the sun...means eyes of one of the three kings ( St Michael soul of Momaha Gadaffi and Churchill)Go kart Mozart means the second king ( St George and soul of Gadaffi and Romel)Mad dog Vinnie means the third king ( King David and soul of kimSung founder of North Korea)Dethrone the dictaphone....bomb the bbc.Preacher from the East....David the servant as per the book of Isaiah.Silicon Sister..Oprah.The deuce....means the moon ( 11) and the calliope is the Goddess with the beautifull voice.Both the moon and the Goddess are Witney Houston.

Richard from Tigard, OrI apologize if someone has already answered the question about "Rorschach", but in any case, here is the answer. If you don't believe it, google it. ;) The Rorschach Test consists of a series of cards on which inkblots are depicted. The subject is asked to tell what the inkblots make him think of. Since the inkblots are not designed and are rather ambiguous, the subject's (or patient's, if you prefer) responses are believed to provide information about his unconscious mind. It once was quite popular with psychologists and psychotherapists, but not as much these days.

Richard from Philadelphia, PaNot sure what Bruce was referring to when he said "cut loose like a deuce." Could be a reference to a car as Bruce said on VH1, could be a 2 card, often called a deuce which one might want to discard or "cut loose" in a card game, could be nonsense or something personal only known to Bruce. I have been in the radio business for 38 years and had dinner with Manfred Mann about a year after he released Blinded by The Light. When I asked him about the strange lyrical change in his version he said that because of the language barrier between English people and Americans, he didn't know what it said or what it meant so he faked it and substituted words that sounded similar, fit, and didn't really mean anything. He wasn't talking about feminine products and was embarrassed that people interpreted it that way. It never crossed his mind. When the controversy over his lyrics got back to him he became curious and the best explanation he heard was that Bruce's lyric referred to a card game. He still wasn't sure but he didn't care because the song was a huge hit for him. I don't know if he was pulling my leg or just giving a standard answer to a question he must have gotten a lot, but he seemed sincere. Oh well. That's my .02 worth.

Joe O from Schenectady, NySorry, but "Checkin' out the weather charts... " can't be about "Edmund Fitzgerald" as that ship hadn't sunk yet when this song was wrote, and the song about it hadn't come out til many years after this one did. There goes that theory... keep tryin :)

Todd from Meyersdale, PaOk all i gota say is they can say what ever they want this song is about coke!! just listen you will understand it if u ever had a little blinded by light nights (lol)

Annabelle from Eugene, OrWhat in the world is a Rohrshach?

Tom from St.catharines, OnSaw the movie AVATAR and lost three nights sleep try to remember where I'd heard the word-I think it was in Zanzibar. Could this be the first reference to an avatar? TBM-St.Catharines

Rick from Diamond Bar, CaWhat fascinates me about this song is that it is somewhat of a Rohrshach for each listener. I finally got around to looking at the lyrics today (I had been meaning to, and the song came on, yada yada), and saw the comments, and that only reinforced my view. On to of that, I get a totally different sense of what the song is about listening to Springsteen's version vs. Manfred Mann's version. MM's seems to echo a "Rock and Roll Fantasy" vibe, while Springsteen's echos a "Night Moves" vibe. They really seem like two different songs, so I can't really say I like one or the other better.

BTW - Graham, YOU are a douche...

Mary from Phoenix, AzTo Sterling: Yes, I have always heard what you have...I've always laughed at it. I am sure there are more than us that have heard it like that, but maybe they're too embarrassed to admit it. LOL!

Sterling from Wilmington, De(I tried to scan this whole page, and even used "Find" (Ctrl+F) to see if what I'm about to add was mentioned before, so plz forgive me if I missed it...): But I can't BELIEVE no one else but me thinks that ManfredMann was saying something like "And little HURLY-BURLY GAVE MY ANUS curly-wurly, and asked me if I needed a ride"...! I swear, even when listening to it SPECIFICALLY to see if I can hear the alleged 'real' lyrics ['And little Early-Pearly came by in his curly-wurly'], I still hear it clear as day! Didn't anyone else hear it that way, too???

Mark from Stuart, Fl, FlI always thought this song was about cocaine. The line, "Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun; But mama, that's where the fun is." It's about being blinded by the effects of cocaine.

Josh from Westborough, Mathis is the greatest lyrical performance of all-time and is bruce's best song. props to the boss.

Brad from Barry, TxSpringsteen didn't sound like he was joking when he said Manfred Mann's Earth Band's cover was popular because they said (erroneously) "douche" instead of "deuce." But, then again, the Boss has made plenty off Mann's version and shouldn't be too upset!

Lem from Covington, GaWho is this guy Springsteen, He should keep racing Harley's and let the EarthBand do all the singing

Annabelle from Eugene, OrBruce Springsteen is the man! He's one of those guys that knows how to pour out his soul! He even taught me what it's like to sing from the heart! Way to go Bruce!

Awd from Region, Mii've deciphered the meaning...bruce hit a pedestrian while high on coke. she didn't die but it was a real buzz kill for him. read the words...he was f'd up on drugs, hit some chick, and wrote a poem about it.

John from Columbus, OhAnd personally, I think the Manfred Mann covers of both Springsteen songs - "Blinded.." and "Spirit..." are god awful. I turn them off every time I hear them. I could listen to Bruce's versions repeatedly without end.

Anissa from Carthage, TnThe question is this: IF every word in every version by every artist was perfectly audible, unquestionable in its meaning, and adhered to the same rhyme structure and music, would anyone be commenting on this song at all?

Jon from Doucheville, ArgentinaFace it, this nasty ass song is either about taking a s--t ("Cut loose like a deuce") or bad pu--y ("wrapped up like a douche"). Either way it's a song I dread hearing. Especially while riding in the car with mom. Springsteen and Man, please keep your s--t and bad pu--y songs to your self.

Chase from New York, NyTo Gene about Go Kart Motzart - Springsteen write this song in '71 or '72, the Edmund Fitzgerald didn't sink until '75 and Gordon Lightfoot wrote that song in '76, three years after Columbia released "Greetings from Asbury Park". Go Kart Motzart was a guy who hung out in Asbury Park in those days who was a little crazy and would do things like check the weather to see if it was safe to go outside. A lot of the lyrics have to do with local people and Jersey shore lingo. This is perhaps the best written rock song, period.

Greg from Calgary, AbI've never liked the Manfredd Mann version of the song. There is a really depressing tone throughout it, minus the 'Chopsticks' portion. The song and lyrics were much better suited for Springsteen. What's a 'Silicone Sister' anybody?-Greg, Calgary AB, Can

Ben from Pensacola, FlWith all the speculation being posted I am going to toss my 10cents worth in here. I find myself leaning towards the fact this song is about a young girl headed for the bright lights of the city (Hollywood - N.Y. take your pick) and finds out that things aren't as great and easy as in the movies and is steered towards prostitution and drugs. She was blinded by the lights and fell victim like alot of girls do trying to make it.

Nora from Orlando, FlBruce Springsteen is awesome!!! Great writer you can tell a Springsteen song no matter who sings it. Great in concert if you get a chance to see him go!!

Steve from Denver, CoAlright here's the one I had always heard,he was coaching his son's little league at the time, and wrapped up like a duece,refers to a double play,with runners in the night,and I don't know if there was a common theme to the whole song just Bruce getting his rhyme on.

Scott from Detroit, MiBruce didn't smoke pot back than...but a lot of people at his shows sure did...so I guess a contact high may have helped inspire "New York Serenade"

Kaj from Benton, PaWhen this song was popular (1976?) my friends, who were black, told me that "wrapped up like a deuce" was a popular phrase meaning fancy...like a Buick Electra 225...commonly referred to as a deuce.

Chris from Charleston, ScI'm sorry, but Manfred Mann's version is waaaaaaaay better than Springsteens, it's not even in the same leauge. The guitar solo just kills.

Hobbes from Brunswick, GaBruce Springsteen's version that was the basis for the others says, "Cut loose like a deuce" another runner in the night.

When I hear that this apparently refers to a car I just can't get behind that. My interpretation was that cut loose like a deuce was a poker reference indicating being discarded as worthless. Which makes perfect since to me and fits much of the remainder of the song. Especially if you take the context and apply it to "another runner in the night" which could be a reference to anything from skipping town, out on bail, or simply as a runaway teen image.

Matt from Around, Cteven before blow, i had always thought this song was about coke/speed...

-In the dumps with the mumps

-With this very unpleasing sneezing and wheezing

-Some all-hot half-shot was headin' for the hot spot, snappin' his fingers, clappin' his hands

-"I'll turn you on, sonny, to something strong if you play that song with the funky break" ...(funky break=quick, fast ****ty comedown off of cocaine/speed, especially the former)

-And Go-Cart Mozart was checkin' out the weather chart to see if it was safe to go outside ...(reminds me off private pilots smuggling back coke in the late 70s/early 80s

Phil from Melbourne, AustraliaMy understanding of the song is : "All vampires should be in bed by dawn"

David from Deerfield Beach, FlPosted on 11/7/2007. The Manfred Mann version was one awesome song. A sonic extravaganza if I ever heard one! Arguably one of the most lyrically indecipherable songs in history. For decades I couldn't understand half the lyrics to this song. And now only after recently finding the lyrics on the internet I think I understand what this song is about even less than I did before. Did Bruce invent his own language here or what?

Cyberpope from Richmond, CanadaI thought it was "break ope' like a douche. . ." & just imagined it was referring to a horrible, horrible grossness, but I've since learned it's "Revved up like a Deuce; another runner in the night" referring to a particular street rod & night-time street racing. . .

Tommy from New York, Ny"indians in the summer" refers to bruce's childhood baseball team, the indians

Bess from San Diego, CaIt seems as if Chris Thompson was meaning to say something like "Douche" in Manfred Mann's Earth Band's version. It's hard to make a soft "c" sound like "sh," unless you have a speach problem . . . Do you think they just wanted to mess with people's minds? It's just too weird.

Musicmama from New York, NyFor Graham from Atlanta: Songs like "Blinded" don't make sense in a linear, logical way. Instead, the songs proceeds cinematically: It's a series of images, albeit ones rendered in words. So of course phrases like "Go Kart Mozart" don't represent pictures so much as they evoke images.

What's the difference between a picture and an image? Think of the word "imagination." You need that to listen to this song, much of Dylan's work, or for that matter, poems from Gerard Manley Hopkins, Allen Ginsberg and any number of other writers.

If you ask me, the rhymes in this song are pretty damned good.

The Truth from Bowling Green, Kymanfred mann's lyrics go "revved" up like a deuce...not "wrapped" up like a deuce

Dan from Chicago, IlCould it be that the lead singer added the "shhh" sound to the end of the word "deuce" jusht to make himshelf shound tough? Anyway that'sh the way it sheemed to me --- like a shpeech affection. On the other hand, doeshn't everbody shpeak that way?

Amy from Pittsburgh, PaI always knew that Springsteen did a song called 'Blinded by the Light' but I never realized that it was the original version of the overplayed Manford Mann song until I downloaded the entire Greetings From Asbury Park CD last week.

It's so funny, I've always hated the Manford Mann song, I switch the station every time it comes on the radio, but I could listen to Springsteen's version all day. It's a great track.

Lester from New York City, NyHey mike, down there in Knoxville, Tenn, just goes to show that there is no accounting for taste, musically speaking. I LOVE Arthur Brown's 'Fire'. If you can get your ears on it, listen to AB's version of 'I Put A Spell On You'. As for BBTL, I was a Manny fan from the inception of the Earth Band (1971), so I was very happy that Manny got so recognition with this song. I like hard rock, and Manny was much closer to it than Bruce. Named a cat after Manny

Mike from Knoxville, TnThis is my #2 most despised record of all time (behind FIRE by Crazy World of Arthur Brown). Since it's initial release, I abolutely positively **hated** this record. Argggggghhhhh!

Mark from Richmond, VaAll of the Manfred Mann comments should be moved to the appropriate Manfred Mann lyrics section. Springsteen definitely says "cut loose like a deuce" which definitely refers to a 1932 Ford Deuce Coupe which is a hot rod. (Anyone ever heard the song"Little Deuce Coupe?" Manfred Mann definitely says "revved up like a deuce" refering to the same thing. The Manfred Mann version changes lyrics & the basic structure of the song & shouldn't even b considered in the analysis of Springsteen's meaning behind the song. I don't know how Harold from Murfreesboro heard the Manfred Mann version in '72 when the Springsteen version came out in '73 & the Manfred Mann version in '76. Graham from Atlanta should possibly delve a little deeper into the Springteen catalogue than just the "Born in the USA" album before making the statement that Springsteen has no talent.

Lester from New York City, NyI think Manny also does 'Spirits in the Night' and 'For You' better than Bruce. Manny used to do one cover of Dylan on every album, then switched to Bruce for awhile.

Gene from Sterling Heights, MiRegarding Graham's comment on meaningless lyrics,"Go-Kart Mozart was checkin' out the weather charts, etc." is somewhat cryptic but translates thus. "checkin' out the weather charts" refers to the song "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." Go-Kart Mozart is the writer of the song, who raced go-karts at that time. The lyric refers to Gordon Lightfoot.

Brandon from Oxford, AlThe Manfred Mann Version is "Revved up like a deuce", not "Wrapped up ".

Andrew from Apex, NcThis song is about Paul's conversion, as told in the Acts of the Apostles. The verses retell the story as a present-day singer trying to get a gig. It uses several metaphores in a stream-of-conscienceness style.

Tracy from Boston, MaBeing from NJ, Bruce was the closest thing to God in like, the late 70's. BUT, when me and my driving partner, Mom, got in the car and listened to Manfred Mann's rendition, we cranked up the volume and listened in awe. Does it really matter what the words meant when the sound blows you down the road? The MM version seemed so Hi-tech in those dark ages. It was like the future of music was arriving through our car speakers. The image of me and Mom driving down the shore listening to this is burnt into my brain. I LOVED my mom.

John from New Orleaqns, LaI first heard the Manfred Mann Earth Band version of this song in early 1977. It was often played in a bar I frequented and I remember being told by a know-it-all acquaintance that I was about drag racing. He had the 'revved up like a deuce' and 'runners in the night' parts right. He knew it had been written by Springsteen but said Bruce had been inspirted to write it by the drag racing scene in the James Dean movie 'Rebel Without a Cause'. I now belive that was complete B. S. but at least he knew the line was not 'wrapped up like a douche'.Crazy Johnny, unflooded section of New Orleans

Peter from Atlanta, GaI have also read the liner notes from Manfred Mann's Earth Band's "The Roaring Silence" lp and it was sung by then lead singer, Chris Thompson as "Revved up like a deuce" (and not "wrapped"), which makes more sense. I really wish this would be corrected on this website already. What this site is doing is perpetuating the misheard lyrics and that's just plain stupid as a reference source to do that. But yes, it's still kind of fun to sing the lyrics as "wrapped up", "douche", "another rumor" and so on, but that's not what they are, and don't tell Thompson about this because I've read he gets mad when people sing the song that way to him. And Steve from Torrance you are mistaken about when Manfred Mann sings on his band's version. Throughout the song the lead vocals were from Thompson, the background vocals were from Chris Slade who was the drummer back then -- Slade also sings the lyrics that are sung as Thompson sings the main lines of "Blinded by the light, revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night", (those are the correct lyrics) near the end of the song. The only lyrics Mann sings are actually the spoken lyrics of "she got down, but she never got tight, she's gonna make it through the night". I do believe Thompson's vocals are very misinterpreted by many people.As far as the meaning of the song, I have a feeling Bruce's originally meaning has been clearly stated here, by many, as a running commentary on the music industry -- I don't know for sure, though, because only Bruce knows for sure (with also some discussion about . I'm sure Bruce's version wasn't about masturbation. And yes his version was "sights of the sun", but Manfred Mann changed it to "eyes of the sun". I'm not so sure about Manfred Mann's version, whether he was trying to take the song in another direction or not. The fact that Mann's final lyrics are "she got down, but she never got tight, she's gonna make it through the night", and a couple of other things about the song, makes me wonder if he misinterpreted and then reinterpreted The Boss' meaning of the song as about masturbation, but then again who knows. Agreed, Mann's version is open to interpretation, much more that I think Bruce's is.

Saeger from Wappingers Falls, NyI have this song on a 45 and the stereo effect is awesome when I play it through my 8-speaker stereo. There something about how it sounds on record that CD?s just cant match.

Graham from Atlanta, GaI know I?m going to take some heat for this, but it needs to be said:

?Bruce Springsteen has no talent.?

Now, before you fanatics start screaming, let me explain why I say that. This song, ?Blinded By the Light?, is a perfect example of an artist trying to change his or her style SO much that it is the COMPLETE OPPOSITE of what they normally do.

Let me explain that. Bruce Springsteen has two writing styles. The first is to repeat a word or phrase OVER & OVER, until it?s drilled in your head (?Fire .Fire .(doom, doom, doom, doom) Fire.?) or better yet, ?Born in the USA, can?t think of nothing else to say, so Born in the USA!? Or such plain songs like, ?I went in to a bar and ran into a friend who was coming out and we sat around and drank and sang about the ?Glory Days?? BOR-ING!

His second style is to write a song that is SO nonsensical that it borders on schizophrenia! For example, lyrics like ?little Early- Pearly came by in her curly-wurly and asked me if I needed a ride? and ?Go-Cart Mozart was checkin' out the weather chart? are totally MEANINGLESS. It is my opinion that he is taking words, rhyming them and is not even concerned about their meaning, relevancy or poignancy.

Anyone who finds ?meanings? in these lyrics is (A) REALLY stretching to make sense of the nonsensical (B) on some SERIOUS drugs and/or (C) schizophrenic.

Another reason I say he has no talent is his throaty, gravely voice. That only sounded sexy when Kim Carnes sang ?Bette Davis Eyes? or when Kathleen Turner reads her lines. On Springsteen it sounds like he?s just smoked one too many cigarettes.

I did hear the Manfred Mann version first and typically the first version of a song I hear is the version I like the best. I do agree with another poster that said regardless of what the PRINTED lyrics state, I still, to this day 30 years after first hearing this song, believe that they actually SANG ?wrapped up like a douche!? LOL

Harold from Murfreesboro, Tni think Manfred Mann's cover of this song is cool, since it was the first version of the song i ever heard back in (?year)1972, and i thought that it sounded like a really cool song, but i wished it didn't sound so dumb as to talk about feminine hygeine like that, i.e. "...wrapped up like a douche, ya know, the roller in the night...", but, at any rate, i still think it's a really cool tune even to this day(o:Harry

Josef from Corpus Christi, TxFor CRYINg out LOUD! Why would ANYone want anything wrapped up like a douche!!! PLease... Add a light vinegarette or lemon scent while we're at it.. (Please Refer back to the original first question from Jeff in Georgia).

Chad from Reading, Pa"plus he never did drugs"

Well he never did any hard drugs, I wouldn't be suprised if he tried them, but his demeanor in '73 hints pretty strongly towards marijuana use. That certainaly isn't far fetched considering the era and the scene Springsteen was in. His early lyrics (pre-Greetings) from songs like Henry Boy seemed to be influenced pretty heavily by pot. Plus if you ever listen to recordings of shows from 1973 he often sounds a bit stoned. I think he stopped smoking pot in '74 but who knows, he's great anyway.

Curtis from Murrieta, CaI used to be a huge fan of the Manfred Mann version, and I hated the original, but my musical tastes changed and now I love the Bruce Springsteen version. Like many others have said, I think the song is about being caught up in the music industry.

Fremont from Concord, NhI'm pretty sure Manfred Mann's version is saying "douche" not "deuce". You can clearly hear the "SHH" at the end of the supposed word "deuce". He is pronouncing it douche, I don't care what anyone says... it's pretty clear and obvious. It doesn't matter what the printed lyrics say, it's what he is SAYING!

Jeff from Hesperia, Ca"Revved up like a deuce," as in a "little deuce coupe," "Another runner in the night..."

Mel from South Australia, Australiamanfred mann's version of this song is classic, its about the first song that turned me onto oldies music (im 16...)

i think that part of the makings of a great song is that they are open to the interpretation of the listener...that you get whatever out of it that you hear- a friend of mine though the 'pumps his way into his hat' was about masturbation, while another though it was about frustraion, and another thought it meant that he was excited, pumping to leave the house and get out into the world...

Heather from Louisville, KySupposedly Springsteen was sick in bed with the MUMPS while he was writing this song...he was just finding words that rhymed and putting them together...so no...the line 'In the dumps with the mumps as the adolescent pumps his way into is hat' does not suggest masturbation...

Annabelle from Eugene, Or"Everyone stop saying "eyes of the sun." It is clearly written all over the internet Bruce said "sights of the sun." How in the heck do you look into the sights of the sun? Wouldn't it make more sense if you look into the eyes of the sun?

Robby from Hegins, PaIm ganna have to agree here i think the mm version is definatly saying revved up and it does make more sence, thier is obviusly an issue in the understanding of the song and i think that was so that we as listeners could make our own interpritation of wat it really means. either way its a great song and i think we can all agree on that. thanks for reading

Brian from Saint Leo, FlIm pretty sure that the Manford Man version says "Revved up like a duece" not Wrapped up as stated above.

Margaret from Chicago, IlI don't know how you can call the Manfred Mann version canon, really, when the song was written by Springsteen. The line "In the dumps with the mumps as the adolescent pumps his way into is hat." pretty strongly hints at masturbation. I wouldn't say the song is (just) about that, though. It's about a lot of things! Bruce talks about it a bit in his Storytellers performance, but I can't seem to find any quotes about it right now...

Anthony from New York, NyScott nailed the nail on the head here...this song is not about drugs sex or masturbation...springsteen is too good for that crap, plus he never did drugs......i agree with scott it is about the music industry and getting caught up in it

Steve from Torrance, CaThe version by Manfred Mann's Earth Band appears on their 1976 album, "The Roaring Silence", which has the lyrics printed on the back cover and the full version of Dave Flett's magnificent guitar solo. Also, Chris Thompson is the lead vocalist; Manfred Mann does not sing until the very end of the song where the chorus (Thompson) is heard from the left channel, and the verse (Mann) is heard from the right channel.

Scott from Concord, CaThe true artistic features of this song are the lyrics, not the arrangement. True, I think Manford Mann's version is better produced, but the lyrics are Springstings. This song is about the music industry, not drugs, petafile sex, or even mastrubation! "Blinded by the light" refers to being caught up in the moment... to be a shining star, if you will, yet having the wool pulled over your eyes by managers and producers. Being so caught up in the stive to be a star that you a blinded to what the music industry is doing to you. Manipulating your music (Some brimstone baritone anticyclone rolling stone preacher from the east says, "Dethrone the dictaphone, hit it in it's funny bone, that's where they expect it least"), saying exactly what you want to hear (Some silicone sister with a manager mister told me I go what it takes She said "I'll turn you on sonny to something strong, play the song with the funky break"), chaufering you like a star (And little Early-Pearly came by in his curly-wurly and asked me if I needed a ride). However, while being a young artist with a chip on his shoulder, he gave it a shot, but, the audience was not pleased (With a boulder on my shoulder, feelin' kinda older, I tripped the merry-go-round. With this very unpleasin', sneezin' and wheezin, the calliope crashed to the ground). And finally, although he knew this was a chance and it may be a dangerous ride with respect to his career, he knew, that's where the success would eventually come from (Mama always told me not to look into the eye's of the sunBut mama, that's where the fun is).... at least that is my interpretation!

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Tj from Woodbridge, Vai agree. i think its "revved up deuce into the runner in the night" or however it goes. cuz a car revves up. but its an awsome song anyway. manfred mann's version is better i think. GREAT SONG!

Forrester from Madison, WiI'm just about positive that MM's version is "revved up", not "wrapped up".

John from Merced, CaNo one seems to really get what this song is about! This is, by far, not the ONLY song ever released to deal with the topic of "Self-Service". Other songs to that end include "I Touch Myself" by The Divinyls, "Turning Japanese" by The Vapors, and "She-Bop" by Cyndi Lauper. Manfred Mann's just happens to be one of the earliest in this genre. (And for the person who debates "eyes of the sun", yes, that IS the lyric, MM's version is considered to be canon, as it was the version that made the charts and receives airplay to this very day!)

Marc from Land O Lakes, FlEveryone stop saying "eyes of the sun." It is clearly written all over the internet Bruce said "sights of the sun." Heck, it's on the lyrics page on this website even. And this is about Bruce, not Mannifred Mann. Nevertheless; Bruce gets to the bottom line and says, in a nutshell, this song is about going out and doing all the stuff that Mom always said not to do. She said don't stare at the sun but that's where the fun is so he's going to go stare at the sun and have fun, do whatever he wants.

Taylor from Tarboro, NcI seriously thought this song said douche instead of deuce for a long time. I thought it was pretty funny until I saw my mistake. Ohh well.

Patrick from Tallapoosa, GaNope...you're not crazy. "Chopsticks" is sampled on this.

Rodney from St. Paul, MnI don't see where you are getting lost. In Manfred Mann's version he says, "Revved up like a duece." He has a bit of an acient and it may not be as clear, but over time it becomes obvious and makes sense.

Mike from Winston-salem, NcI'm not sure what any of the lyrics mean but I remember this song because my long-distance high school sweetheart choreographed a dance routine to the MM version. Every time I hear it I can still see her beautiful face and wonderful body gyrating in time with the beat. What a memory!

Stefanie Magura from Rock Hill, ScThis is a weird tidbit. But has anyone noticed that Manford Mann sings "Moma always told me not to look in to the eyes of the sun. But mama, that's where the fun is." that Manford Mann, or somebody starts playing "Chopsticks" on the piano. Has anyone noticed that or am I really crazy!

Scott from Fort Smith, ArI ahve always been under the impression it was. Wrapped up like a duece, or a runner in the night.

wrapped up refrerring to dressed asduece - meaning prostitute

which is what a runner in the night is---a prostitute.

Bill from Boston, United StatesSpringsteen recently appeared on VH1's "storytellers", he does a great version, solo, with just an acoustic. He explains the song line by line...the "mad dog" refered to the drummer, etc. He also opines that MM's version changed 'duece' to 'douche' which propelled it to #1 status...as he says "one is about a car, the other aboput a femmine hygine product...guess which one the kids liked to shout more....

Matthew from Houston, TxWhat album is the version by ELO on?This is by far the coolest song I know of and as far a versions go Manford Mann has the best that I have heard to date.

Maddie from Knoxville, TnELO"s version is much better, in my opinion. :)

Elly from Columbus, Ohit is actually revved up like a duece another runner in the night which does in fact refer to a car race. the part at the end of the MM version says "she got down but she never got tight she's gonna make it thru the night" means the girl has "been around the block a time or two." i believe this song refers to teenage life ((sex& cars& drugs))

Barry from New York, NcI think the original Springsteen verion is more exiciting and contains a catchier melody than Manfred's version (sorry MM fans!)

Al from Ottawa, CanadaThe true explanation of the lyrics lies in Springsteen's annoyance (and partial disgust) with the recording industry and music promotion biz. Together with some interesting social comments that appear to misdirect the subject of the song, that is the story. Get a goot look at the printed lyrics and see how this piece of free-form poetry trashes a great deal of the music biz

C.c. from Lake Charles, LaI believe the Manfred Mann version says, "Revved up like a deuce".

Ken from Louisville, KyIn a recent (2005) VH1 special, Springsteen admits that after all these years, he's starting to come around to Manfred Mann's version.

Rayne from Orcutt, Ca"Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun; but mama, that's where the fun is." Reffers to the use of LSD. People used to trip on it and stare at the sun, thus they go blind.

Cale from Atlanta, GaThe song is about a young man trying to have sex with a young girl. The dad is close by and its dangerous.

"daddy's within earshot, save the buckshot turn up the band"

The whole song is about teenage sex.

Susan from Venice, Casorrie i am commenting so much but my opinion is that the song is about a kid running away from something (whatever it may be). revved up like a deuce another runner in the night. means that they are determined and they won't stop till they get away. and mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun but mama thats where the fun is... meaning their mom ias too strict and won't let them do what they wanna do with their life.

Rebecca from Summerville, ScI read somewhere that the lyric in Manfred Mann's version is "Revved up like a deuce". If a deuce is a car then the lyric does make sense, a lot more sense than wrapped up.

Victor from Vienna, Vafeatured in "Blow" (2001) with Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz, as Depp (George Jung) was telling of how cocaine took over the U.S. "like an atomic bomb."

Kurt from Downers Grove, IlA "deuce" is a slang term for a street race in the 70's; that's what this song refers to. "Another runner in the night" is a racing car. I think the song refers to the excitement of danger: "Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun; but mama, that's where the fun is."

Paul from Greenwood, ScThis is not just a song...it is a musical event. It's still fun to sing douche on the MM version.

Jeff from Covington, Gawould someone please explain all the words to this song by manfred mann?